Impact Wrestling started the New Year all new and with a bang. The show kicked off with a new theme, logo and on a new network. Impact Wrestling has officially taken over Destination America. The show started with the main roster brawling outside the Manhattan Center and eventually ending up inside. It came down to MVP and Kurt Angle in the middle of the ring.
Kurt Angle vs. MVP in a street fight. Kurt Angle announced that all championship titles were on the line tonight. MVP starts trash-talking Angle, but he gets a surprise from Kurt Angle. Kurt Angle has been cleared and is stepping down from Executive Director to return to the ring.
The two ensue in a street fight in their street clothes. There was plenty of back and forth action between the two in and out of the ring. Fans got to see multiple ankle locks and an Angle Slam.
Kurt Angle won the match on the night of his return via pin fall.
The Revolution vs. The Wolves for the TNA World Tag Team Titles. The Wolves entered the ring hungry to win the titles from The Revolution. Before the match started and the show cut to commercial break, the Hardys unexpectedly made their way down to the ring.
The match began with the Wolves having the upper hand against the Revolution; they were even able to pull off four suicide dives back to back. Outside interference during the match led the Hardys to step inside the ring and even the score. Abyss went to retrieve his cowbell but Jeff Hardy stopped him and in attempt to take the cowbell away, Hardy stumbled backward into Edwards. James Storm then hits the Last Call on Edwards and covers for the win.
The Revolution retains their tag team titles.
Tonight TNA welcomes Josh Matthews to the announcement team and Jeremy Borash stepped in as a ring announcer. Ethan Carter III walks down to the ring, cutting a promo about his undefeated streak and the victim to his bullying, Rockstar Spud. Tyrus walks out with a cowering Rockstar Spud and forces him to enter the ring. Ethan Carter III had previously stated that he would shave the rest of Spud’s hair and he intended to honor that commitment. Before Carter could cut off the hair, Jeremy Borash stepped forward to stand up for Rockstar Spud. Borash hit Carter with a haymaker but it wasn’t enough as both Carter and Tyrus issued a beat down and hair cut on Borash.
Low-Ki vs. Austin Aries for the TNA X Division Championship. This title match was the shortest but still good. It started off with both competitors going at it and trading blows. Aries hit Low-Ki hits Aries with an IED and Aries retaliates by going for a Brainbuster, but Low-Ki counters him with Bite of the Dragon. Aries manages getting to the ropes and Low-Ki starts to set him up on top. Aries countered and knocked Low-Ki back and successfully delivered a Brainbuster. Aries goes for the pin fall and wins.
Austin Aries is the new TNA X Division Champion
Knockouts Battle Royal for Knockouts Championship. Taryn Terrell’s first defense with her championship was against the entire Knockouts roster in a Battle Royal. Before the match started we saw the return of Robbie E before Terrell made her entrance. During the match we also saw the return of Brooke as she chased Robbie E and Velvet Sky backstage.
It came down to Gail Kim, Havok, and Taryn Terrell. As Terrell was beaten up and struggling to get on her feet Havok went to deliver a choke slam on Gail Kim, but Kim countered. As Gail Kim was hanging on the ropes, she tried to eliminate Havok, but Taryn Terrell eliminates both ladies with a fell swoop.
Taryn Terrell retains her TNA Knockouts Championship.
Terrel’s celebration was short as Havok rolled back into the ring and began attacking the champion. Havok’s attack was interrupted when the lights at the Manhattan Center went out. When the lights came back on, there stood in the middle of the ring facing Havok, Awesome Kong. The two women stood there in a stare down. The one to retreat first was Havok as she left the ring and went backstage. Kong marked her return by choke slamming a referee just for the heck of it.
Bobby Roode vs. Bobby Lashley for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. This match marked the main event of the night. During the beginning of this match we’re shown backstage footage of MVP and Kenny King with two masked men. All four men are forcing their way to the ring as they take out security. The action continues in the ring as Lashley grounds Roode with a waist lock, and then Roode throws a few hits before hitting Lashley with a clothesline.
Roode hits another clothesline, then Lashley psyches himself up and dares Roode to hit him again, and Roode accepts. Roode snapmares Lashley and heads up to the top turnbuckle. Roode connects with a neck breaker and goes for the cover but Lashley kicks out at two. Roode hits a spine buster but Lashley again kicks out at two. Lashley gets the upper hand when he hits Roode with a powerslam, but it wasn’t enough to put Roode away. The two get neck in neck in the match and Roode hits Lashley with a spear after countering Lashley’s spear. Roode goes for the pin but Lashley kicks out at two.
MVP and his guest make their way to the ring as Roode applies a Crossface. Lashley gets out of the Crossface and goes for a powerslam, but Roode counters with a Roode Bomb. After another failed attempt for the pin, Roode applies another Crossface. The masked men interfere and Kurt Angle rushes down to the ring. MVP and Kurt Angle fight outside the ring and as the masked men surround Roode.
The masked men are revealed to be Low-Ki, and Samoa Joe. Eric Young runs out and chases the two off with a chair before turning on Roode and taking him out with a chair shot. Lashley gets up and spears Roode for the pin fall.
Bobby Lashley is the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion.
